Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been researching the various enclosures available on the market and still can't decide which material to go with. I'm leaning towards a vision enclosure. What are the pros and/or cons
of these enclosures. What are the rest of you who keep smaller monitore using? Any and all replys would be appreciated. Thanx, Clint

In my experience, troughs/stock tanks are the best for ackies. They're deep enough to private dirt for digging and hold heat well. A vision doesn't allow for that.

we use Vision cages extensively, for snakes. i like the cages, but they are completely unsuited for lizards. believe me, we've tried them, in all kinds of sizes and configurations.

wood cages are swelling a rotting disasters waiting to happen.

use a metal trough as your base, and build from there. idestructible, economical, and great at holding substrate
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

Robyn, Your right about the stocktank. My situation is I have dogs. So I figured I better elevate the enclosure, thinking my ackies will feel a little more secure. This puts the enclosure on a 30"h dresser. Which puts the top of the enclosure at head level, making servicing and viewing difficult at best. So that is how I have come to the question of a front viewable enclosure.
Say, like a vision. I agree with your thoughts on a wood/melamine enclosure, it wouldn't last long. An all glass aquri. 4'x2'x2' would be inefficent to heat. Now, considering my situation with placement of this enclosure. What in anyones opinion would be better. A vision, or a stocktank with a plexi top and sliding glass doors on the front. This is not a cheap investment and I don't want to end up with a undesireable enclosure after a purchase. Pros and cons I can see with both setups. I have never worked with a vision so I can't necessarily see the cons. I could put a end damn of plexi to retain the substrate, any other cons I need to consider? Also, what are the dims. for the stocks being used or gallon equivelents. I know I'm asking for alot in a enclosure. Mostly my own selfish needs. But there has got to be a way for me to have a container that houses my little guys happily and gives me convenient accessability and viewability. Now a vision seems like the route.
So if I'm wrong please set me straight. I appreciate anyones time and thoughts in reviewing this post. Looking for answers, hope someone has got them. Thanx, Clint

There is nothing wrong with an all glass tank. You can insulate the bottom, back, and two sides if necessary with styrofoam insulation. Don't use a screen top, make one out of plexiglass.

the base of your cage is where the substrate is, that is where you need depth and durability.

picutre this, a 4 ft stock tank, with a Vision 4 ft arboreal resting on top. cut a hole in the bottom of the Vision, and put a pretty skirt around the tank. there you go, a front loading cage with plenty of depth for substrate, and pretty on top of that.

you don't have to use a Vision, the point is that you just have to be creative, and you can solve the problem and still have a sensible, durable cage
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

im just putting plexiglass over my wood the wood is basically my frame it may jack up the price a bit tho

I would put up caution on the dam thing though, I have never had that work, it WILL get filled with dirt.

Stock tanks are nice for a couple of reasons, but I have serious doubts they are more efficient to heat than glass, usually it's the top of the glass tank that let's the heat out, not the glass itself. (As Rsg pointed out screens are often a bad choice to put on top)

Every monitor I got when small has been in a glass tank for some period of time, as I actually find them much easier to control temps on. Which means ackies, argus, goulds and jobiensis.

If you must raise the trough, there are always ladders! Keep in mind it will probably be several hundred pounds of dirt at least, make sure you put it on something that can support the weight and not EVER tip (that would be the end of a dog or child).

In my opinion Visions have way too much ventilation, but more than likely nothing some weatherstripping on the glass and duct tape on the vents couldn't fix.

--Robert

I see in your garage? Looks like some I have from there. I know a great work out routine using those buckets. I think you may be familiar with the very same routine . It's just funny to look at pics of peoples homes who are afflicted with the same disease as you. And all the halogens sitting around - too funny. Looks just like my basement, except I don't think I have any soda down there.

Ian

You people with basements don't know how good you've got it.

But hey, there's no snow here, so maybe it's not that bad! hahahahaha

Yes, 5 gallon buckets everywhere, they can be used to sit on, stand on, hold dirt, water, lizards, mice, crickets, cork bark, tools, etc. I think a nice dining set could be built from them too, but my wife strongly disagrees (women are silly).

I know the exercise program you mentioned, but IMHO it is too much work so I am trying to train children to do it for me, but they complain about the weight and just move too darn slow.... geez, kids these days...

Digging up an enclosure that the base is four foot off the ground is lots of fun too.

--Robert